Reporting US Politics

The Local TV Perspective

Brian Calfano

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English

Routledge
13 May 2025

Writing & editing guides; History of the Americas; Media studies; Political campaigning & advertising; Press & journalism

With a particular focus on the United States, this book offers a practical guide to writing and delivering sound political TV news coverage.

Beginning with a historical overview of political reporting, and contextualizing political journalism and local TV news within wider industry issues, this book goes on to offer an essential understanding of the complex decision-making inherent in this critical form of journalism today. In accessible and engaging language, Calfano introduces students to all the basics of local political TV reporting—writing, shooting, editing, and producing—touching on long-form interviewing, political ""talkbacks,"" election coverage, using data, and investigative journalism as a means of uncovering political stories. Readers will learn about working the political beats, from the City Hall to the Statehouse and from policy to budgets, in a way which is both compelling and ethical. A chapter on local, state, and federal government acts as a quick reference primer to the US political landscape. Each chapter includes a series of reflection exercises and ideas for exploring political coverage from the perspectives introduced, and case studies help readers translate what they’ve learned into real-world practice. This book also features a list of quick hacks for political reporters and a political resource list which TV news reporters and producers can go to for sources and government information.

This textbook is essential reading for anyone aspiring to become a reporter, producer, or news manager in the United States and will also be of great value to students of Political Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, and Local TV News worldwide.

By: Brian Calfano
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781032514130
ISBN 10: 1032514132
Pages: 220
Publication Date: 13 May 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Chapter 1: Reporting US Politics Chapter 2: The Foundation of Professional Journalism Chapter 3: Doing The Work Chapter 4: Political and Campaign Coverage in the (Somewhat) Traditional Way Chapter 5: Beyond Conflict in TV Political Reporting Chapter 6: American Politics Primer for Television & Digital Reporters Appendix Index

Brian Calfano is the Scholar‑in‑Residence for latakoo, Inc., a video management company based out of Austin, Texas, USA. He was previously Professor of Political Science and Journalism at the University of Cincinnati, USA.